Kecmark pitches fiber laser coding as a lower-cost alternative to inkjet systems

Hangzhou Kechuang Mark Technology Co., Ltd. is promoting its Fibre laser marking machine 700 series as a replacement for inkjet coding on fast-moving packaging lines. The company says the system cuts consumable costs, improves marking stability and supports food, beverage and pharmaceutical production.

Why it matters: - Food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers are under pressure to reduce downtime, cut consumable spending and keep codes readable on fast production lines. - Kecmark is positioning fiber laser coding as a long-term alternative to ink-based systems that need inks, solvents, filters and frequent maintenance. - The permanent marks created by laser coding are aimed at improving traceability, compliance and brand protection.

What happened: - Hangzhou Kechuang Mark Technology Co.,Ltd, also known as Kecmark, published a performance review comparing its Fibre laser marking machine 700 series with traditional Continuous Inkjet and Thermal Inkjet systems. - The company says the comparison focuses on high-speed production lines, diverse packaging materials and total cost of ownership. - The company provided an official website for more information: More information.

The details: - Traditional CIJ systems depend on ink droplets, solvents and filters, which can create maintenance demands and clogging issues. - Traditional TIJ systems can face nozzle dehydration during continuous operation and may require cleaning pauses. - The 700 series uses high-speed digital scanning galvanometers for marking-on-the-fly. - The system is designed to integrate with vertical packaging machines and conveyor belts. - Servo-synchronization helps maintain positioning when line speeds fluctuate. - The laser system is intended to keep codes legible on PET bottles, aluminum foil, HDPE and reflective metallic surfaces. - Kecmark says the laser creates permanent chemical or physical changes in materials, producing marks that resist abrasion, moisture and chemical exposure. - The company says laser coding does not require consumables such as inks, makeup solvents or filters. - Kecmark says that over three years, recurring costs for CIJ systems can exceed the original equipment price. - The company says the absence of VOCs in laser coding makes the system safer for workers and the environment. - Kecmark says the technology can support GMP requirements in food and pharmaceutical production.

Between the lines: - The review is as much a sales pitch as a technical comparison, but it reflects a broader shift in packaging toward lower-maintenance, more traceable marking systems. - The strongest economic argument is not the purchase price but the reduction in recurring consumables and labor tied to maintenance. - The emphasis on permanent marking also signals growing pressure on manufacturers to improve anti-counterfeiting and regulatory compliance.

What's next: - Kecmark says it will continue developing integrated hardware and software for intelligent, visualized and digitalized production tools. - The company is likely to keep targeting high-volume producers that want faster changeovers and lower operating costs. - Manufacturers evaluating coding upgrades will continue weighing upfront laser investment against long-term savings from reduced maintenance and consumables.

The bottom line: - Kecmark is betting that fiber laser coding will win on speed, stability and total cost of ownership, especially where nonstop production and permanent traceability matter most.